Library Computing Policies & Resources

The primary purpose of computer access at the Columbia Basin College Library is to support the educational mission of the college; more specifically to meet the academic needs of CBC students, faculty, and staff. The Library reserves the right to limit or deny access for any other purpose.

Open Computing Resources
Current CBC students, faculty, and staff have priority use of the open access college library computers in the main branch in Pasco and the medical library in Richland. CBC identification cards should be posted in the holder on top of the monitor; during busy times students with ID cards will have priority over those who do not.

Other researchers, including recent CBC students and those affiliated with other institutions of higher learning, may apply for a courtesy research pass; proof of affiliation will be required. Those who are not affiliated with an institution of higher learning but wish to use the computers for research will be granted a courtesy research pass at the discretion of library staff. The library will also make every effort to accommodate those seeking higher educational opportunities, particularly prospective students who need to use computers to fill out financial aid forms, college applications, and other materials needed to apply to CBC. During peak usage times any guest user may be asked to relinquish their computer for CBC users.

Members of the community may apply for a guest pass at the Circulation desk. In order to preserve college computing resources, the library can only offer each guest one pass per day and must limit both the number of guest users and their length of computer time. The library staff has the discretion to refuse to issue guest passes or ask community users to relinquish their computers should they be needed by CBC users or if they believe the user is not complying with College policies. Guests will only be issued one pass per day even if they are not able to use their full hour. Should they leave their computer for more than ten minutes, it and their pass may be offered to other users. Other area libraries offer free computer access; consult their websites for more information.

Minors who are not enrolled in CBC classes or college-sponsored programs may use the library computers subject to the guest provisions above and the Library's Policy on Children. The child must be at least six years old and be registered as a guest prior to using a computer, and the parent must sign their registration form. By their signature, parents acknowledge that they are responsible for their children's compliance with the CBC Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy. Parents should be aware that this is a college library and not subject to the Children's Internet Protection Act; it is the parents' responsibility to insure that their children are not exposed to risk or inappropriate materials when using the Internet on the CBC Library's computers. Parents must accompany their child at all times and closely monitor their computer use.

Main Pasco Branch Open Computer Area - 32 computers near the entrance of the Library. Guest user limits are as follows:

No guest passes will be issued before 2 p.m.

After 2 p.m. the library may offer as many as four one-hour guest passes.

Passes are non-renewable and offered on a first come, first served basis.

Richland Library - Six computers in the main Library. Guest user limits are as follows:

When classes are in the computer lab (HSC 308), the library will not issue guest passes.

When the computer lab is available to students, the library may offer as many as two one-hour guest passes.

Passes are non-renewable and offered on a first come, first served basis.

Collaborative Study Rooms – Two connected rooms off the rear of the main computer area to the right/east side; open to current CBC students, faculty, and staff only.

EpicenterThe primary purpose for the Epicenter computer lab is direct instruction in support of the College's Student Learning Outcome "apply information tools and resources," with particular priority given to instruction on the effective use of the Library's physical information resources.

Pick up your printing at the Circulation Desk. Let us know the number of the computer (e.g. Index 8, epicenter 16) you were using to print.

To discourage waste and to recover some of the cost of paper, toner, and printer maintenance, a charge of $.05 per page for black & white copies, and $.25 per page for color copies will be assessed for printing of full-text articles, email, assignments, web pages, etc. Also, our black & white printers default to double-sided printing; ask library staff if you need to print single sided.

Students will not be charged for citation, abstract, library catalog, or KIOSK printing.

Only CBC supplied paper may be used in library printers and copy machines.

For questions or comments about this page, please contact: Library, Phone: 509-542-4890